Lynn Flewelling's Blog, page 23
April 21, 2012
My Thoughts on Women In War In Fantasy, at Fantasy Cafe
I was asked recently to blog at Fantasy Cafe, and asked to use the month's women in fantasy theme. After some thought, here's what I blogged.
http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2012/04/women-in-sff-month-lynn-flewelling/
http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2012/04/women-in-sff-month-lynn-flewelling/
April 19, 2012
Cut Today
These are sitting next to me on the table while I work. The fragrance is amazing! (shot with Instagram)
Snippet from Work-in-Progress "Shards of Time"
The room was a well-appointed charnel house.
April 17, 2012
Taking Stock of the Pack
We just did some figuring: Emma is 5 years 4 mos. old; Jackson is 3 yrs. 6 mos. old; and Zoe is 1 yr 2 mos. old. How time flies!
They are great dogs in their way but with many quirks that Molly and Bosco did not have, including pack behavior. When a dog walks by on the sidewalk they all go boiling out to the fence to bark at it, and claw the fence to the point that we occasionally have to replace boards. They have gotten loose on occasion when the yard crew left a door unlatched and simply run around the neighborhood for a while, then come back looking happy and guilty. We have had no reports of aggressive behavior, although neighbors have ratted them out.
They have also killed several rats and possums in the back yard and gotten into battles with raccoons. On one hand, they are keeping the varmints out, but I've never had a dog that killed anything before and find it a little unsettling.
All of them bark at people who come into the house, but soon warm up, even Jack, who's a tiny bit less shy these days, or at least gets over it more quickly. He remembers people he's claimed as friends, even if he hasn't seen them for a year, and warms up that much more quickly.
Zoe is the only one who has really learned "heel". Emma continues to be like a kite on a string in a high wind for much of any walk, until she tires out. Jack pulls for a while, then heels, but is exhausting for me to hang onto. Zoe's a pretty good girl, and by far the most trainable of the pack. She's learned to greet me in the morning with a sit and handshake. Jackson leans on me and "talks", Emma stays with Doug until the rumpus has settled down.
Overall, they're a handful. I can't believe we have three of them, would never do that again, but I don't think I could part with any of them.
They are great dogs in their way but with many quirks that Molly and Bosco did not have, including pack behavior. When a dog walks by on the sidewalk they all go boiling out to the fence to bark at it, and claw the fence to the point that we occasionally have to replace boards. They have gotten loose on occasion when the yard crew left a door unlatched and simply run around the neighborhood for a while, then come back looking happy and guilty. We have had no reports of aggressive behavior, although neighbors have ratted them out.
They have also killed several rats and possums in the back yard and gotten into battles with raccoons. On one hand, they are keeping the varmints out, but I've never had a dog that killed anything before and find it a little unsettling.
All of them bark at people who come into the house, but soon warm up, even Jack, who's a tiny bit less shy these days, or at least gets over it more quickly. He remembers people he's claimed as friends, even if he hasn't seen them for a year, and warms up that much more quickly.
Zoe is the only one who has really learned "heel". Emma continues to be like a kite on a string in a high wind for much of any walk, until she tires out. Jack pulls for a while, then heels, but is exhausting for me to hang onto. Zoe's a pretty good girl, and by far the most trainable of the pack. She's learned to greet me in the morning with a sit and handshake. Jackson leans on me and "talks", Emma stays with Doug until the rumpus has settled down.
Overall, they're a handful. I can't believe we have three of them, would never do that again, but I don't think I could part with any of them.
April 9, 2012
Seen At Huntington Beach, Easter Morning
I have no idea what caused this particular conjunction of jet trails, but I thought it was appropriate to the day. :-)
April 7, 2012
Movie: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
First of all, let me say that I have been trying to read the book but haven't gotten beyond the first few chapters.
So we rented the US version of the film last night. I thought it was well cast and very well acted, but a combination of dull (how long can you watch someone do research?), disturbing, uneven, and disagreeable.
For a movie about a serial killer, very little time was spent on the actual killer. I realize it was really about the two main characters, but the scene at the end when Martin is revealed seems like an afterthought.
Prolonged, lingeringly filmed rape scenes really bother me, even if I did enjoy L's revenge.
Much of the movie was a slow burn, lots of scenes of people driving back and forth and researching. The final dramatic ending seemed like something out of another movie.
So overall, I give this one a thumb's down.
So we rented the US version of the film last night. I thought it was well cast and very well acted, but a combination of dull (how long can you watch someone do research?), disturbing, uneven, and disagreeable.
For a movie about a serial killer, very little time was spent on the actual killer. I realize it was really about the two main characters, but the scene at the end when Martin is revealed seems like an afterthought.
Prolonged, lingeringly filmed rape scenes really bother me, even if I did enjoy L's revenge.
Much of the movie was a slow burn, lots of scenes of people driving back and forth and researching. The final dramatic ending seemed like something out of another movie.
So overall, I give this one a thumb's down.
April 6, 2012
Lastest knitting project
This is for a friend's 18 mo old daughter. :-)
Knitting Pure & Simple's Baby Tunic 211 knitted with Cotton Supreme Batik "Rainbow Sherbet"
Knitting Pure & Simple's Baby Tunic 211 knitted with Cotton Supreme Batik "Rainbow Sherbet"
April 3, 2012
Brad Beaulieu's new book!
Bradley Beaulieu's new book, Straits of Galahesh, goes on sale today! Check it out. http://quillings.com/fiction/the-straits-of-galahesh/
Creepy Kids Books with Awful Messages
One of my favorite parts of motherhood was finding wonderful new books to share with my boys. There was a real renaissance of children's lit when they were young, and many amazing books and picture book artists.
However,
There were some real duds, too, including one that totally creeped me out: "I'll Love You Forever", about a mom who sneaks into her son's room his whole life, into adulthood, to cradle him in her arms.
I am vindicated! Very funny article on children's books with terrible messages: http://www.cracked.com/article_19744_6-popular-childrens-books-that-teach-kids-horrible-lessons.html
However,
There were some real duds, too, including one that totally creeped me out: "I'll Love You Forever", about a mom who sneaks into her son's room his whole life, into adulthood, to cradle him in her arms.
I am vindicated! Very funny article on children's books with terrible messages: http://www.cracked.com/article_19744_6-popular-childrens-books-that-teach-kids-horrible-lessons.html
April 2, 2012
Tales of the Emerald Serpent Update
We're getting sooooooooo close. With 15 days left to go, we've raised $7,670 of the needed $10,000. Just think, if we make our goal, Shay and Balthazar and all their colorful compatriots will spring to life on the page, with gorgeous artwork! And it's all up to you. If you haven't pledged yet, have a look at the neat trailer and consider giving. It doesn't have to be much, but the more you pledge, the greater gifts you qualify for. Some lucky donor has already qualified for a beautiful illustrated copy of "Namesake"
Check it out! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/563681582/tales-of-the-emerald-serpent-shared-world-mosaic-a?ref=card
Check it out! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/563681582/tales-of-the-emerald-serpent-shared-world-mosaic-a?ref=card
